Alwaleed Alkeaid is a distinguished expert in sports management, wellness, and leadership, with over 15 years of experience driving impactful change across Saudi Arabia’s evolving sports landscape. As the founder of the Saudi Sports Professionals Network (SSPN)—the Kingdom’s foremost platform for recruiting top-tier talent in sports, fitness, and wellness—he has played a pivotal role in connecting professionals with opportunities that support national development goals. Throughout his career, Alwaleed has provided strategic advisory to various sports federations, contributing to the growth and professionalization of the sector. His work is deeply aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, where he continues to support key initiatives aimed at fostering a healthier, more active society while promoting leadership and innovation within the sports ecosystem.
In this exclusive interview, Alwaleed shares insights into his journey, the inspiration behind founding SSPN, and the broader vision that drives his commitment to building a world-class sports industry in the Kingdom.
From talent development to the impact of policy, his perspective offers a valuable look into the future of sports and wellness in Saudi Arabia.
Your career spans multiple roles in sports management, entrepreneurship, and wellness. How do you see these different areas intersecting to drive innovation in the sports industry, particularly in Saudi Arabia?
Throughout my career, I’ve found that sports management, entrepreneurship, and wellness naturally complement each other. Sports management brings structure, entrepreneurship fuels innovation, and wellness promotes sustainable growth. Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 leverages these intersections, creating exciting opportunities for innovation and lasting impact.
What do you believe are the most significant challenges facing sports professionals in Saudi Arabia today, and how is your network addressing these challenges?
One significant challenge for Saudi sports professionals is limited visibility and access to quality opportunities. Through the Saudi Sports Professionals Network, we’re addressing this by creating a central hub for networking, career development, and talent matching, ultimately helping professionals find meaningful connections and roles.
What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs looking to make an impact in the sports and fitness sector?
My advice to aspiring entrepreneurs in sports and wellness is to stay genuine and consistently deliver value. Understanding your audience’s needs deeply, building authentic relationships, and creating impactful solutions will lead to sustainable success.
What strategies do you think are most effective for engaging new audiences in sports and fitness initiatives?
To effectively engage new audiences in fitness and sports, authenticity is key. Genuine storytelling, relatable experiences, community engagement, and interactive content help create meaningful connections and encourage lasting involvement.
As a Misk 2030 Leader, how do you envision Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 impacting the future of sports and wellness in the country, and what role do you see yourself playing in this transformation?
Vision 2030 is significantly reshaping Saudi Arabia’s sports and wellness landscape, creating unprecedented opportunities and impact. Since its introduction, we’ve witnessed remarkable achievements, such as over 40,000 participants in the Riyadh Marathon, the significant increase in the number of sports federations, ambitious stadium projects for the Asian Cup and FIFA World Cup 2034, and groundbreaking developments like Riyadh’s Sports Boulevard.
Vision 2030 is significantly reshaping Saudi Arabia’s sports and wellness landscape
The Kingdom is now consistently hosting international tournaments and world-class events, positioning itself as a global sports destination. My role continues to be that of a connector—facilitating strategic initiatives, talent development, and meaningful collaborations aligned with these ambitious milestones.
Can you tell us about two sports personalities that have inspired you most in your career and why?
Two sports personalities who’ve deeply inspired me are Muhammad Ali, whose courage and positive influence went beyond sports, and Sir Alex Ferguson, whose strategic leadership and team-building taught me invaluable lessons about sustained excellence.
Exclusive for sportsandgulf.ae – 2025
